Rehoboth Summer Children's Theatre celebrates the imagination

A trunk of costumes and props, a painted backdrop and two actors is the formula for 30 years of theater magic and success. Since 1982, the Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre has been dazzling audiences of all ages with its unique, creative productions. Each play is performed by a multi-talented pair of actors using all their skills to bring the characters and stories to life.

Through the years audiences have been thrilled by “The Wizard of Oz” and “Pinocchio,” and laughed their way through “Puss in Boots,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Cinderella” (Who can forget Delmarva, the wicked stepsister?). They have enjoyed the adventures of Robin Hood and Finn McCool. And all of this has been accomplished with a wonderful simplicity that binds the performers and audience together in a marvelous world of imagination.

Even in this age of electronic manipulation, computer-generated graphics and high-tech stage effects, there is room for the basic formula of actor, audience and story, building a memorable shared experience. Season No. 30 of the Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre continues to delight audiences with three effervescent, hilarious productions. Audiences this year have been enjoying an amphibian’s wild ride in “Toad’s Escape,” the youthful fantasies of “Peter Pan” and the Magic Mirror updates of “Snow White.”

These three shows rotate throughout the summer. The RSCT schedule features performances in two locations. On Monday evenings, shows are staged at 7 p.m. in downtown Rehoboth at the Clear Space Theatre at 20 Baltimore Ave. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the scene shifts to Dewey Beach with performances in the Baycenter next to Que Pasa Restaurant, 124 Dickinson Ave. Tuesday shows are 11 a.m.; Wednesday shows are at 7 p.m.

While each show is performed by only two actors, RSCT features a summer company of five professional performers who share the duties. Alexandra Orgera, Jim Burns, Shoshanna Hill, Karen Murdock and Steve Seyfried are all taking their turns, two at time.

Tickets to all shows are $9. They can be reserved by calling the theater at 302-227-6766 or emailing rehobothchildrenstheatre@gmail.com. The complete schedule through Aug. 24 can be found at www.rehobothchildrenstheatre.org.